Red Sox 3B Will Middlebrooks sits out, but says he's fine

Boston Red Sox third baseman Will Middlebrooks, right, will not play Friday night, but he took batting practice.Associated Press

FORT MYERS, Fla, - Will Middlebrooks expected to be in the Red Sox lineup Friday night.

He's not, but took batting practice and said all was well.

"I was expecting to play, but I'm fine. No worries,'' the third baseman said Friday night at JetBlue Park.

Middlebrooks hurt his wrist Wednesday night. He left the game, but was declared fit for all baseball activities the next day.

"The way he came out of that game, we're probably better served to have him sit out this game. We have him down to play Saturday,'' manager John Farrell said.

Jonny Gomes was also out of the lineup against Pittsburgh. The left fielder needed three stitches in his left knee after running into the outfield fence Wednesday.

"The knee is perfect,'' Gomes said. He was not limping, but Farrell said Gomes will be held out for a couple of days as a precaution.
conditi
Daniel Nava was to start in left. Pedro Ciriaco was at third.

Left-hander reliever Craig Breslow will start a throwing program Saturday. He's been out all spring with shoulder inflammation.

Farrell said Breslow will need a 10-day throwing program before he takes the mound. Given his late start, the ideal workload in spring training games would be six or seven innings.

Farrell said there is still time for Breslow to be ready for Opening Day, but the setback means it will be a race against time.

David Ortiz was to return Friday after leaving camp to attend to a personal matter. Ortiz did not have a health setback, but he has missed three days conditioning as he tries to return from an Achilles injury.

Farrell also said he expected outfield prospect Bryce Brentz to play in spring training games at some point. Brentz, 24, accidentally shot himself in the leg while cleaning a handgun in January.

Brentz is one of Boston's top prospects. Brentz is not cleared for full baseball activity but is making progress.